Occasions when the Miswaak should be used:
1. Upon awakening.
عن عائشة رضي الله عنها أن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم كان لا يرقد من ليل ولا نهار فيستيقظ إلا تسوك قبل أن يتوضأ. (ابو داود)
Hadhrat Aaisha (Radiallahu Anha) reports that whenever Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) awoke, he would make miswaak before performing wudhu.
N.B. The use of the miswaak upon awakening is a separate sunnat and making miswaak at the time of wudhu is a separate sunnat. Hence if one who does not intend performing salaah or a menstruating woman awakens, they should make miswaak. However, if one upon awakening makes wudhu, the miswaak done during the wudhu will suffice on behalf of both sunnats.
باب السواك لمن قام بالليل يعنى يستحب لمن قام بالليل سواء كان قيامه للصلوة او لغيرها ان يستاك لان النوم مظنة تغير الرائحة...و فى الحديث دليل على انه صلى الله عليه و سلم يتسوك قبل ان يتوضأ و ايضا يدل على انه صلى الله عليه و سلم يتسوك بعد الاستيقاظ من النوم سواء اراد التهجد ام لا. (بذل المجهود 1/35)
2. When entering one’s home.
عن عائشة أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم كان إذا دخل بيته بدأ بالسواك (مسلم باب السواك)
Hadhrat Aaisha (Radhiallahu Anha) reports that whenever Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) used to enter his home, he would make miswaak.
3. For the recitation of Qur’an.
عن علي بن أبي طالب رضي الله عنه قال إن أفواهكم طرق للقرآن فطيبوها بالسواك (إبن ماجة 1/25)
It is reported that Hadhrat Ali (Radhiallahu Anhu) said: “Indeed your mouths are used to recite the Qur’aan Majeed, hence keep your mouths clean through making miswaak.”
4. To remove a bad smell from the mouth.
عن جعفر بن ابي طالب رضى الله عنه ان ناسا من اصحاب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم دخلوا عليه فقال مالى اراكم قلحا استاكوا فلولا ان اشق على امتى لامرتهم بالسواك عند كل صلاة (كتاب الآثار ص 9)
It is reported from Hadhrat Jafar (Radhiallahu Anhu) that on one occasion certain Sahaabah had come to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) (on seeing the colour of their teeth being yellow) addressed them saying: “What is the matter that I notice that the colour of your teeth is yellow. I advise you to cleanse your teeth with miswaak. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) then said: Had it not been for the fear of my ummah falling into difficulty (due to not being able to uphold the obligation of miswaak), I would have certainly commanded them to make miswaak at the time of every salaah (i.e. at the time one makes wudhu to perform salaah.)
5. Before and after eating.
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنهان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال إن كان قاله : لولا ان أشق على أمتي لأمرتهم بالسواك مع الوضوء وقال أبو هريرة لقد كنت أستن قبل أن أنام وبعد ما استيقظ وقبل ما آكل وبعد ما آكل حين سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول ما قال (أحمد 9183)
Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah (Radhiallahu Anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: Had it not been for the fear of my ummah falling into difficulty (due to not being able to uphold the obligation of miswaak), I would have certainly commanded them to make miswaak at the time of every wudhu. Abu Hurayrah (Radhiallahu Anhu) further says: “On account of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) emphasising the use of the miswaak, I made it a habit of using the miswaak before going to sleep, upon awakening, before eating and after eating.”
6. At the time one is about to pass away (sakaraatul maut).
عن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت دخل عبد الرحمن بن أبي بكر ومعه سواك يستن به فنظر إليه رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقلت له أعطني هذا السواك يا عبد الرحمن فأعطانيه فقصمته (و في رواية و طيبته) ثم مضغته فأعطيته رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فاستن به وهو مستسند إلى صدري (بخاري 2/640)
It is reported from Hadhrat Aaisha (Radhiallahu Anha) that at the time Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was about to pass away, my brother Abdur Rahmaan entered the room. He had a miswaak with him, which he was using to clean his teeth. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)’s mubaarak sight fell on the miswaak (but due to weakness he was unable to ask for it). Hadhrat Aaisha (Radhiallahu Anha) says that I understood that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) wished to make miswaak at this time, so I said to my brother, O Abdur Rahmaan, lend me your miswaak. I took it from him, broke off the top part, (cleansed it, softened it,) and then gave it to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) then made miswaak with it, whilst he was reclining on my chest.